MATCH INFO

Japan gets last spot for the Niterói semifinals

Japan's Takeshi Dekita (5) hits against Egypt's Omar Hassan (14).

Niterói, Brazil, August 7, 2011 – Japan defeated Egypt, 3-2 (25-18, 15-25, 20-25, 25-21, 16-14) on Sunday in the final match of round two of the competition for ninth through 16th place at the FIVB Volleyball Men´s Junior World Championship 2011 at Caio Martins gymanasium.

With its victory, Japan (2-1) finishes second in Pool G and advances to play Pool H winner Belgium in Tuesday's semifinals for a chance to play for ninth place. Egypt (0-3) will play Bulgaria (1-2) in Monday's quarterfinals.

Japan's Takashi Dekita led all scorers with 23 points on 21 attacks and two blocks. Egypt's captain Moustafa Idris led Egypt with 19 points on 16 attacks and three blocks.

The teams were very close in attacks, with Egypt holding a 52-51 lead. Egypt also led in blocking (11-10) and aces (3-1). Japan scored 39 points on Egypt's errors while committing 37.

In the first set, the score was tied at 11-11 when Egypt’s attack attempt went long. Japan scored again to go ahead 13-11. Egypt called timeout and came back to score, but it could never tie the score. Japan increased its lead to five at 20-15 when Egypt made a run that began with Hossam Sallam’s attack off Japan’s block. Japan’s next two spike attempts went out of bounds to pull Egypt to within two at 20-18. Japan called timeout and came back to score the next six points for the set victory.

With the score tied 3-3 in the second set, Egypt scored three straight points to lead 6-3 and continued to lead 8-5 at the first TTO. Egypt’s lead was 13-8 when it scored three straight points on a block and two Japan errors to lead 16-8 at the second TTO. Japan continued to struggle with errors and Egypt rolled to a 25-15 set win.

Egypt jumped to a 7-3 lead in the third set and Japan called timeout, coming back with two points. Nevertheless, Egypt led 8-5 at the first TTO. Japan closed the gap to one at 8-7 when Sallam scored with an attack from the left side and Mohab Eldeeb followed with an ace. A Japan error and block by Karim El Shikh gave Egypt an 11-7 lead and Japan called timeout, coming back with two points. However, the damage was done and Egypt led 16-12 at the second TTO. Japan pulled to within two at 18-16, but Hussein Hussein responded with two straight blocks and went on to win the set.

Japan gained back momentum in the fourth set and held an 8-6 lead at the first TTO and 16-12 at the second. Egypt never gave up, but could not close the gap and Japan won 24-20.

The tie-breaking fifth set came down to the final points. Tied at 14-14, Japan reached match point thanks to a block, then won the match when Egypt hit the ball out of bounds.